t comes as no surprise that members of S U R V I V E were tasked by the Duffer brothers with scoring the recent Netflix hit, Stranger Things. The soundtrack employed a stunning mix of retro-futuristic synths and dark ambience – a sound that has been S U R V I V E’s signature since 2009. The band’s compositions are patiently cinematic, with peaks and valleys in emotion that take time to play out. The band’s music often demands a similar level of engagement to that of post-rock and ambient acts. The pay-off is an experiential listen that guides the willing participant through the halls of their own imagination. If that sounds trippy, it’s because it is. S U R V I V E’s latest album, RR7349, sees the group expanding upon their fundamental elements, with some interesting new developments. This makes for an album bursting with sonic richness and imaginative compositions. RR7349 is a treasure trove of sounds. It is absolutely not necessary to be a synth geek in order to fully appreciate those sounds, but there is definitely an element to the music that will have said geeks smiling. If the phrase “Micromoog leads arpeggiating over Oberheim pads” sounds titillating, then this record might feel like a designer drug just for you. As a music reviewer and lover of synthesizers, remaining objective is difficult when there is so much old-school goodness to be heard. Every track feels like a meditation on its own instrumentation, calling to mind a time when the awesome power of the synthesizer itself was a source of inspiration. The retro-styled textures recall the classics such as John Carpenter, Tangerine Dream, and Vangelis. That said, S U R V I V E’s style is not a surface-level emulation of the classics. Instead, it is an honorable send-up – a recognition of when being an electronic musician meant exploring uncharted territory. Gear lust aside, an album with even the most impressive array of synthesizer porn must still be able to hold up in terms of musicality. I’m happy to say that RR7349 does manage to do this. “A.H.B.” gets things started by immediately jumping into what could easily be an 80s horror main theme. This track rolls out the fun stuff right away (vintage pads, nostalgic synth bass), but also sets an appropriate tone for how the album will eventually play out. There is a balance between dissonance and melody. Tracks such as “Dirt” and “Wardenclyffe” do an exceptional job at illustrating S U R V I V E’s ability to build and release tension – the synth lines in these tracks are some of the most contemplative and mysterious the band has ever produced. “High Rise” (named after J.G. Ballard’s classic science fiction novel…or not) elicits a sense of falling and calmly contemplating the chaos of the act itself. Similarly, “Sorcerer” shares its ominous soundscape with the atmosphere of the 1977 film of the same name (which just happens to have been scored by Tangerine Dream). “Low Fog” highlights S U R V I V E’s ambient abilities, while “Copter” doubles down on all of the elements that were displayed in the tracks preceding it. “Cutthroat” manages the same thematic mood of previous tracks, but it might have functioned better earlier on in the album, as “Copter” feels like it would have been a more cathartic ending. Another criticism might be found in the track “Other,” which features an industrial-like drum and bass combo that doesn’t develop much as the song goes on. When juxtaposed with the other tracks, this feels like a missed opportunity. RR7349 will appeal to the listener with a sense of adventure and an appreciation for the past. S U R V I V E have crafted a satisfying listen that is unique and – wouldn’t you know it – fun. If you are new to S U R V I V E thanks to Stranger Things, listening to RR7349 is a great way to discover the capabilities of the band working at full steam. Likewise, longtime fans can rest assured that S U R V I V E have hit a new kind of stride. DISCLAIMER: Due to trades with other labels, some CD’s may ship without cellophane wrapping. They are still new CD’s. Sometimes CD’s ship to us without jewel boxes. We reassemble them with new CD jewel boxes once they arrive.
